The Ramblers charity is urging the Government to remove all unnecessary physical barriers from paths within the next five years.
Campaigners are calling for England’s path network to be made more inclusive after research found that steps, stiles and gates can be an obstacle for many people.
Other barriers include blocked or badly maintained paths as well as a lack of public toilet facilities and seating, the campaigners added.It comes after a survey of more than 4,800 UK adults found that a quarter of people said physical barriers stop them from using the paths network. David Weir, six-time Paralympic gold medallist, who is backing the call for change, said: “Having the ability to access nature on my doorstep makes a big difference to my mental wellbeing, as well as providing some active recovery when I’m not training.“Through experiencing what accessibility is like in different countries across the world, I can say that the UK is one of the strongest.
The research comes as the Ramblers launched their Outdoors Unlocked campaign, which is calling on the next government to break down the barriers currently standing in the way, ahead of the general election expected this year. “But we can’t do this alone. The UK government needs to support this vital and cherished part of our infrastructure by strengthening equalities legislation to reduce obstructions for disabled people and supporting local authorities to invest more time and money to make our paths more accessible.”
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Remains of two-year-old boy missing for eight months discovered by ramblersThe search site is two miles as the crow flies from the house where Émile Soleil was last seen with his grandfather, Philippe Vedovini, 58.
Read more »
Campaigners delighted as 'incongruous' Market Drayton housing scheme is refusedCampaigners in Market Drayton were claiming victory after the first of three linked planning applications to expand a business park was refused.
Read more »
Campaigners' plea as 250 MILLION disposable vapes to be thrown away before banExperts slam vape shops for what they say is their continued failure to offer 'takeback' recycling schemes as required by law.
Read more »
A5: Minister meets with campaigners calling for road upgradeJohn O'Dowd says he is determined to deliver road upgrade after meeting campaign group Enough is Enough.
Read more »
Will the government 'do the right thing' for the Waspi campaigners?Thousands of women should get payouts because of the way changes to the state pension affected them, according to a watchdog.
Read more »
Waspi campaigners demand action as politicians avoid compensation commitmentBoth the Conservatives and Labour have been reluctant to commit to compensating women affected by changes to the state pension age.
Read more »